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Glycemic control and complications of type 1 diabetes among children in Tanzania

S Najem1, E S Majaliwa2, K Ramaiya3

  • 1Div. of Pediatrics, Dept of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.

Journal of Clinical & Translational Endocrinology
|December 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in young Tanzanians shows high rates of microvascular complications like retinopathy and neuropathy, despite short disease duration. Poor metabolic control is prevalent, highlighting a need for improved pediatric diabetes care and awareness.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Limited data exists on Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) prevalence and complications in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • This study addresses the scarcity of knowledge regarding T1D in young patients within this region.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence of microvascular complications in children and young adults diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes.
  • To evaluate the metabolic control (HbA1c levels) in this pediatric T1D population.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective analysis of medical records from 2010-2016 involving 559 patients (aged 2-35 years) with T1D from five Tanzanian hospitals.
  • Data collection focused on retinopathy and neuropathy; renal function data was unavailable.

Main Results:

  • Significant data gaps were identified, with less than half of patient files containing essential information like HbA1c.
  • Among documented cases, 36% of patients had HbA1c levels exceeding 12.5%, indicating poor glycemic control.
  • A high prevalence of retinopathy (21.5%) and neuropathy (29.4%) was observed, even with a mean diabetes duration of 6.2 years.

Conclusions:

  • Tanzanian children and young adults with T1D exhibit poor metabolic control and a high incidence of microvascular complications early in the disease course.
  • Study findings, while significant, must be interpreted cautiously due to substantial data limitations and missing information.
  • Improved pediatric diabetes care, increased public awareness, and the implementation of prospective study designs are crucial for future research in resource-limited settings.
Abstract

Keywords:
ComplicationsHbA1cNeuropathyRetinopathyTanzaniaType 1 diabetes

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